Australia Post Drone Delivery Trial Takes Flight

Australia Post will be the first major parcels and logistics company in the country to trial new technology to deliver small parcels by Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), or ‘drone’, to provide customers with even more choice on how and when they receive their online shopping.

This closed-field trial is an important next step in testing the new technology which will potentially deliver small parcels safely and securely to customers’ homes, allowing for faster transportation of time critical items like medication.

Australia Post Managing Director and Group CEO Ahmed Fahour said this is just one of many innovations the organisation is exploring, with Australia’s eCommerce and online shopping sector experiencing double-digit growth over the past five years.

“Australia Post has been adapting to changing customer needs and new technological advancements for over 200 years. This trial is another exciting example of how we’re looking to the future with emerging technologies to make life easier for our customers,” Mr Fahour said.

“Today’s online shopper expects to receive their purchase whenever and wherever they want. RPAs may be another way to help make our customers’ lives easier and builds on our existing 24/7 Parcel Lockers and MyPost service. Customers who sign up to MyPost can elect to have their parcel safe-dropped, or sent to an alternate location as well as receiving SMS and email notifications.

“We’re excited to be the first major parcels and logistics company in Australia to test RPA technology for commercial delivery applications. We will put this innovative technology through its paces over the coming weeks and months to understand what it can deliver, how far it can travel, and ultimately, how our customers could receive a parcel.

“RPA technology will continue to evolve over the coming years and while we’re not sure what role it will play in our future, we do think there are opportunities for time-critical deliveries or where there are significant distances between the road and front door.

“At the heart of our approach to innovation is our passion to help Australian businesses take advantage of the eCommerce boom, while delivering choice and convenience for consumers.”

Australia Post is working closely with local start-up ARI Labs, developers of the proprietary technology, to demonstrate the reliability and applications of the technology. A customer trial is expected to follow later this year.

The RPA trial builds on Australia Post’s recently announced $20 million innovation fund where the organisation will directly invest in great eCommerce businesses with ideas that will improve the lives of customers.